Hubble Space Telescope Deployment (STS-31)
Astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Discovery are deploying the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit, a delicate operation requiring precise coordination between the crew and mission control.
Setting
Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay in low Earth orbit, with the Hubble Space Telescope suspended above Earth's curvature. Mission Control Center at Kennedy Space Center, filled with rows of computer consoles and large projection screens displaying telemetry data.
Characters
Commander Loren J. Shriver
primary
A middle-aged man in his early 40s, with a fit astronaut's build, clean-cut face, and short military-style haircut. His bearing exudes calm authority.
Mission Specialist Bruce McCandless II
primary
A 52-year-old astronaut with a lean, athletic build, short-cropped salt-and-pepper hair, and sharp blue eyes that reflect years of military discipline and spaceflight experience. His face shows the weathering of multiple space missions, with faint laugh lines around his eyes.
Payload Specialist Steven A. Hawley
secondary
A 38-year-old astronaut with a lean, athletic build, short brown hair, and sharp, observant eyes. His face shows the focused intensity of someone deeply engaged in a critical task.
Flight Director
secondary
A middle-aged man in his late 40s with a lean, wiry build, short-cropped salt-and-pepper hair, and sharp, observant eyes. His face shows the wear of long hours in mission control, with faint lines of concentration around his eyes and mouth. He wears a standard-issue NASA headset with a microphone boom.
CAPCOM
background
A middle-aged NASA communications specialist with a lean build, short-cropped hair, and a focused demeanor. Wearing a standard-issue headset with a microphone boom, his eyes are fixed on multiple monitors displaying shuttle telemetry.
Dialog
Commander Loren J. Shriver
Discovery to Mission Control, we are go for Hubble deployment sequence. Standing by for final RMS clearance.
Flight Director
Copy that, Discovery. All telemetry is nominal. You are cleared to proceed with step three of the deployment checklist.
Mission Specialist Bruce McCandless II
Remote Manipulator System responding within expected parameters. Beginning primary latch release sequence now.
Commander Loren J. Shriver
Mission Control, we show all five aft bay latches confirmed released. Proceeding to tilt sequence.
Mission Specialist Bruce McCandless II
Primary tilt motors engaged. Five degrees... ten degrees... attitude holding steady. No oscillation detected.
Flight Director
Discovery, we confirm nominal tilt angle. You are go for final release on my mark... Mark.
Mission Specialist Bruce McCandless II
Final release command executed. Hubble is free. Repeat, Hubble is deployed and clear of the payload bay.